The Little Book of Dyslexia

Unfortunately, according to research reported in Dyslexia – an International Journal of Research and Practice,* ‘children with dyslexia demonstrate impairments in a variety of executive functions’. In other words, the child with dyslexia is going through a whole series of battles and challenges simply to stay on task and get that task completed effectively and efficiently

you are a teacher, then you will be teaching children with dyslexia, whether you ‘believe’ in the condition or not. (Yes, there are some out there who still see it as an affliction made up by bad spellers.) Whether you are able to spot them or not is a different matter. In fact, your ability to spot them is down to your knowledge of what dyslexia really entails. After reading this fascinating and enlightening book I guarantee there will be several children in your classes whom you will look at with fresh eyes.

ccording to Ronald D. Davis in his book The Gift of Dyslexia:**
‘The mental function that causes dyslexia is a gift in the truest sense of the word: a natural ability, a talent. It is something special that enhances the individual.’
The author identifies eight basic abilities shared by dyslexics:
1. They can use the brain’s ability to alter and create perceptions (the primary ability)
2. They are highly aware of the environment
3. They are more curious than average
4. They think mainly in pictures instead of words
5. They are highly intuitive and perceptive
6. They think and perceive multidimensionally (using all the senses)
7. They can experience thought as reality
8. They have vivid imaginations

1. J. Jones, The Magic-Weaving Business: Finding the Heart of Learning and Teaching. London: Leannta Publishing, 2009